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INTRODUCTION
Content and Format of This Handbook
The Director of Graduate Studies Handbook is intended to provide DGSs with the information they will need to fulfill their responsibilities in this important role. The Handbook’s main text will familiarize DGSs with the steps graduate students follow from recruitment through graduation; the processes for appointing graduate faculty and for applying for Graduate School research support and other faculty awards administered by the Graduate School; and the mechanisms for establishing and modifying graduate-level courses and degree programs. Links will connect DGSs to helpful Web resources, both on the Graduate School’s Web site as well as other University sites. Faculty advisers will also find the Handbook’s student-related sections useful.
The Graduate School is a coordinating college under the jurisdiction of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. Its principal role is the development and support of high-quality graduate programs. Inherent in this responsibility is oversight of graduate student admissions in collaboration with the graduate faculty, monitoring of Graduate School standards and requirements, and maintenance of accurate student records. Equally important is the stimulation and encouragement of faculty research, and general leadership for graduate education within the University. The role and responsibilities of the Graduate School are defined in the Preamble and Article I ( www.grad.umn.edu/faculty-staff/governance/policies/constitution/) of the Graduate School constitution. Its organizational structure (see Organizational Chart) includes a Dean, three Associate Deans, and offices dedicated to student recruitment and admission, student services, fellowships, data management, and outreach.
The Graduate School administrative structure includes an Executive Committee, six Policy and Review Councils and a Graduate Council at Duluth that are responsible for making general policy for the Graduate School and advising the Graduate School Dean on issues related to graduate education and research. There are also several standing committees for research, fellowships, and grievances. Additional, ad hoc committees may be appointed by the Dean after consultation with the Executive Committee. This administrative structure is described in detail in Article V. (www.grad.umn.edu/faculty-staff/governance/policies/constitution/article_5.html) of the constitution.
The Graduate School is governed by a constitution
(www.grad.umn.edu/faculty-staff/governance/policies/constitution/) drafted by a committee of the graduate faculty and graduate students. The constitution was originally approved by the Graduate School on June 12, 1975, and ratified by the Board of Regents on October 10, 1975. Major revisions were approved in a Constitutional Assembly on March 26, 2002. The Executive Vice President and Provost approved the current Graduate School constitution on May 13, 2002.
The director of graduate studies (DGS) is a member of the graduate faculty who serves as the administrative supervisor and coordinator of graduate studies within a program and who, together with the department chair, shares responsibility for guiding and improving graduate education within the program(s) under his or her jurisdiction. The DGS serves as a unique liaison among the graduate student body, the graduate faculty, and the Graduate School administration. The DGS role and responsibilities, qualifications, term of appointment and appointment procedures are described in Article III.4.( www.grad.umn.edu/faculty-staff/governance/policies/constitution/article_3.html) of the Graduate School constitution.
The DGS may assume varying responsibilities as determined by the faculty of the graduate program, but the central supervisory and coordinating function designated by the Graduate School cannot be delegated. General responsibilities, some of which may be delegated, generally fall into three areas: (1) student related--admissions, student programs, grievances, etc.; (2) faculty related--appointment to the graduate faculty, research, etc.; (3) curricular and graduate program related--program changes, course changes, program reviews, etc.
Even if some of these responsibilities are delegated, the DGS should retain supervisory control and serve as a central source of information within the program. Policies of the Graduate School, of the graduate degree program, and where appropriate, of the University should be interpreted and enforced by the DGS, who will be called on to provide reports and guidance.
To all of these ends, this Handbook is designed to present relevant information and to call attention to other helpful resources.
DGSs on the Duluth campus are advised to contact the Associate Dean of the Graduate School at Duluth for specific information pertaining to graduate studies on that campus.
Annually, the Graduate School offers a series of workshops designed to provide DGSs with the tools and information they may need to successfully manage aspects of the graduate program(s) they oversee. The Graduate School routinely offers orientation sessions for new DGSs, annual workshops on evaluating international credentials, and, as part of its Policy and Review Council Assembly each fall, focused presentations on key issues in graduate education. In addition, the Graduate School offers several workshops throughout the academic year that provide DGSs with opportunities to learn about best practices in a variety of areas. Each year’s DGS workshop series is described on the Web at http://www.grad.umn.edu/dgs/workshops/.
The Graduate School maintains a Web Site for Directors of Graduate Studies www.grad.umn.edu/DGS/ that contains information of particular relevance for DGSs
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